Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO)

• Together with CRVO is the second most common cause of retinal vascular disturbance.
• Commonly occurs in elderly and/or as a manifestatioin of hypertensive retinopathy.

Clinical Features

• Symptoms: various degree of decreased vision
• Signs:
  • More often occurs at the arteriovenous intersection in the superotemporal quadrant
  • Segmental intraretinal hemorrhage can be easily observed in acute phase
  • The proximal tip of the hemorrhage is usually the proximate location of the occluded vein
  • Cotton wool spots
  • Retinal edema
  • Commonly present with subretinal or vitreous hemorrhage
  • Occasionally associated with cystoid macular edema
  • Dilated and increased tortuosity of the branched vein distal to the occlusion in the chronic phase
  • The presence of collateral vessels around the involved segment can be observed in chronic BRVO

Treatment

• Laser photocoagulation in selected cases.